Dynamic information system capable of providing reference information according to driving scenarios in real time

ABSTRACT

Operating a dynamic information system includes a plurality of information collector collecting a plurality of environmental characteristics, and a control module generating an intuitive reality image layer of a vehicle and a plurality of intuitive add-on image layers corresponding to a plurality of predetermined driving scenario. When a condition of a predetermined driving scenario is met, a display module displays the intuitive reality image layer and at least one intuitive add-on image layer of the plurality of intuitive add-on image layers that corresponding to the predetermined driving scenario.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

This invention is related to a dynamic information system, especially toa dynamic information system capable of providing reference informationaccording to the driving scenarios in real time.

2. Description of the Prior Art

When driving a vehicle, the driver has to concentrate on the trafficcondition ahead while paying attention to the rear vehicles or theadjacent vehicles occasionally. Traditionally, to allow the driver toobserve the environment around the vehicle, vehicles are usuallyequipped with a left side view mirror, a right side view mirror, and arear view mirror for reflecting the images around the vehicle. However,the mirrors are disposed in different positions and are away from eachother, so the driver has to turn his/her head to view the mirrors whilepaying attention to the traffic condition ahead. In addition, thevisible regions covered by the mirrors are still limited, creating blindspots around the vehicle.

Besides, during driving, the driver also needs to pay attention to otherinformation, such as the gasoline gauge, the speed of the vehicle, theweather, etc. Since different types of information are usually presentedseparately on the instrument panel or the control panel, the driver canbe distracted by the variety of information, causing various burdens tothe driver. That is, since the driver does not need all information atall times, the driver may be distracted by information which may beirrelevant at a certain time. Therefore, how to provide a convenient,safe, and directly perceiving environment while providing relevantinformation instantly to the driver has become an issue to be solved.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One embodiment of the present invention discloses a dynamic informationsystem. The dynamic information system includes a plurality ofinformation collectors, a control module, and a display module.

The control module is coupled to the plurality of informationcollectors, and generate an intuitive reality image layer of a vehicleand a plurality of intuitive add-on image layers corresponding to aplurality of predetermined driving scenarios. The display module iscoupled to the control module, and displays the intuitive reality imagelayer or in addition with at least one intuitive add-on image layercorresponding to a predetermined driving scenario when a condition ofthe predetermined driving scenario is met.

The intuitive reality image layer and the plurality of intuitive add-onimage layers are constructed to represent a reality view from a commonobservation point at a first distance behind the vehicle plus a seconddistance above the vehicle. The intuitive reality image layer and theplurality of intuitive add-on image layers comprise lanes and trafficinformation to sides and rear of the vehicle that are within regionsunobservable directly through a windshield by a driver of the vehicle.The intuitive reality image layer and the plurality of intuitive add-onimage layers are of a same orientation in a common three dimensionalcoordinate system.

Another embodiment of the present invention discloses a method foroperating a dynamic information system. The dynamic information systemincludes a plurality of information collectors, a control module, and adisplay module.

The method includes collecting, by the plurality of informationcollectors, a plurality of environmental characteristics, generating, bythe control module, an intuitive reality image layer of a vehicle and aplurality of intuitive add-on image layers corresponding to a pluralityof predetermined driving scenarios, and displaying, by the displaymodule, the intuitive reality image layer or in addition with at leastone intuitive add-on image layer corresponding to a predetermineddriving scenario when a condition of the predetermined driving scenariois met.

The intuitive reality image layer and the plurality of intuitive add-onimage layers are constructed to represent a reality view from a commonobservation point at a first distance behind the vehicle plus a seconddistance above the vehicle. The intuitive reality image layer and theplurality of intuitive add-on image layers comprise lanes and trafficinformation to sides and rear of the vehicle that are within regionsunobservable directly through a windshield by a driver of the vehicle.The intuitive reality image layer and the plurality of intuitive add-onimage layers are of a same orientation in a common three dimensionalcoordinate system.

These and other objectives of the present invention will no doubt becomeobvious to those of ordinary skill in the art after reading thefollowing detailed description of the preferred embodiment that isillustrated in the various figures and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a dynamic information system according to one embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 2 shows an intuitive reality image layer according to oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows an observing point when illustrating the intuitive realityimage layer in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 shows a display module displaying the intuitive reality imagelayer and an intuitive add-on image layer in FIG. 2 on the windshieldaccording to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows the intuitive reality image layer and the correspondingintuitive add-on image layer displayed by the display module when acondition of a predetermined driving scenario is met.

FIG. 6 shows the intuitive reality image layer and the correspondingintuitive add-on image layer displayed by the display module when thedirection indicator of the vehicle is triggered.

FIG. 7 shows a method for operating the dynamic information system inFIG. 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a dynamic information system 100 according to oneembodiment of the present invention. The dynamic information system 100includes a plurality of information collectors 110A, 110B, 110C, 110D,110E, and 110F, a control module 120, and a display module 130.

The information collectors 110A, 110B, 110C, 110D, 110E, and 110F cancollect the environmental characteristics around them, such as thetraffic condition images, the weather information, and the trafficconditions along the routes indicated by the navigation device. Forexample, the information collectors 110A, 110B, and 110C can be imagecapturing devices. In FIG. 1, the information collectors 110A, 110B,110C are disposed at different positions in the vehicle V1 for capturingimages from different angles and covering different regions. Forexample, the information collectors 110A, 110B, 110C can be installed asthe front image capturing device, the side image capturing device, and arear image capturing device according to the system need. In addition,the information collector 110D can be a distance measuring radar formeasuring the distance between the external objects and the vehicle V1.The information collector 110E can be a gyroscope for detecting thesituations of climbing and vibration. The information collector 110F canbe a speed measuring radar for measuring the moving speeds of theexternal objects outside of the vehicle V1. Also, in some embodiments,the dynamic information system 100 can include other numbers and othertypes of information collectors, such as light radars, sonars, etc., forcollecting even more complete information for the dynamic informationsystem 100.

The control module 120 can be disposed in the vehicle V1, and can becoupled to the information collectors 110A, 110B, 110C, 110D, 110E, and110F. The information collectors 110A, 110B, 110C, 110D, 110E, and 110Fcan generate the corresponding environmental characteristics byprocessing the data derived from sensing the external environmentaccording to their functions. The environmental characteristics can be,for example, images, distances, temperatures, tilting orientations,etc., and the control module 120 can generate an intuitive reality imagelayer of a vehicle V1 and a plurality of intuitive add-on image layerscorresponding to the vehicle V1 according to the environmentalcharacteristics collected by the information collectors 110A, 110B,110C, 110D, 110E, and 110F. In some embodiments, the plurality ofintuitive add-on image layers generated by the control module 120 canpresent the traffic conditions of the vehicle lane on which the vehicleV1 is traveling, the speed of the vehicle V1, the navigation informationof the vehicle V1, the traffic condition of the neighboring vehiclelanes, the speed of the neighboring vehicles, and/or the types of theneighboring vehicles.

In some embodiments, the control module 120 can receive theenvironmental characteristics collected by the information collectors110A, 110B, 110C, 110D, 110E, and 110F through wired communications,wireless communications, or the combination of the two aforesaid ways ofcommunications.

That is, according to the system need, the dynamic information system100 can obtain the information collected by the information collector ata remote site through wireless communications. For example, the dynamicinformation system 100 can further include the information collectors110G and 110H at remote sites away from the vehicle V1, and theinformation collectors 110G and 110H can capture the traffic conditionimages or the weather information on some specific routes (the routesuggested by the navigation device, for example). The collectedinformation can be transmitted to a cloud central system CS through theinternet so the control module can obtain the information from the cloudcentral system CS through wireless communications. In the aforesaidembodiment, with the cloud central system CS, the information collectors110A, 110B, 110C, 110D, 110E, and 110F disposed on the vehicle V1 canalso upload the collected information and share the information withother dynamic information systems, and may also receive the informationfrom the information collectors disposed in other vehicles.Consequently, the control module 120 of the dynamic information system100 can obtain even more types of environmental characteristics frommore places and can generate the intuitive add-on image layers accordingto the obtained environmental characteristics. The intuitive realityimage layer and the plurality of intuitive add-on image layers canrepresent the lanes and the traffic information to the sides and rear ofthe vehicle that are within regions unobservable directly through thewindshield by the driver of the vehicle.

The wireless communications can be implemented by wireless LAN (WLAN),long term evolution-vehicle (LTE-V), dedicated short rangecommunications (DSRC), etc. With wireless communications, the dynamicinformation system 100 can obtain the real-time information from thesmart vehicles and the smart facilities near the roads, and can sharethe information collected by the information collectors 110A, 110B,110C, 110D, 110E, and 110F with other smart vehicles and the smartfacilities, enriching the reference information requested by other smartvehicles and smart facilities

The display module 130 can be coupled to the control module 120, and candisplay the intuitive reality image layer P1 generated by the controlmodule 120 when the vehicle V1 is activated. FIG. 2 shows the intuitivereality image layer P1 according to one embodiment of the presentinvention.

In FIG. 2, the intuitive reality image layer P1 can be illustrated asviewed from behind the vehicle V1 with a bird's eye for observing thevehicle V1 and the traffic conditions around the vehicle V1, includingtraffic conditions on two sides of the vehicle V1 and the rear side ofthe vehicle V1.

For example, FIG. 3 shows an observing point OP for illustrating theintuitive reality image layer P1. In FIG. 3, the observing point OP isbehind the vehicle V1 from a first distance D1 and above the vehicle V1from a second distance D2. The first distance D1 and the second distanceD2 can be determined by default or the user, and may be adjusted duringdriving according to the driving situation.

Since the intuitive reality image layer P1 can be constructed torepresent the reality view from the observation point OP at the firstdistance D1 behind the vehicle V1 plus the second distance D2 above thevehicle V1, the content shown by the intuitive reality image layer P1can be displayed in a consistent manner with the driver's vision whenobserving traffic condition through the windshield. That is, objectsincluded in the intuitive reality image layer P1 would be displayed atthe same relative positions as the real view observed from thewindshield. Therefore, the discursive view provided by the reflection ofthe side mirrors used in prior art can be avoided, and the driver canobtain the information in an intuitive way.

In some embodiments, the angle Al of the bird's eye view can range from15 degrees to 90 degrees, and can be adjusted according to differentsituations. Here, 0 degrees represent the viewing angle is in parallelwith the road and 90 degrees represent the viewing point is right abovethe vehicle V1.

In FIG. 2, some intuitive add-on image layers are also shown to presentthe moving speed of the vehicle V1, the position of the vehicle V1, andthe navigation information. By illustrating the image as viewed frombehind the vehicle V1 with a bird's eye, the intuitive reality imagelayer P1 can show two sides of the vehicle V1 and the rear side of thevehicle V1, and regions unobservable through the windshield by thedriver.

FIG. 4 shows a display module 130 displaying the intuitive reality imagelayer P1 and an intuitive add-on image layer P2 on the windshield Waccording to one embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 4, thedisplay module 130 can be a head-up display (HUD). Also, to prevent theintuitive reality image layer P1 and the intuitive add-on image layer P2from blocking the line of sight of the driver, the display module 130can project the intuitive reality image layer and the intuitive add-onimage layers at the low side of the windshield W, that is, the regionsclose to the instrument panel K.

In some embodiments, the display module 130 can be a holographicdisplay, or a transparent display disposed on the windshield W. Thetransparent display can, for example, be implemented by thin filmtransistors (TFT) or organic light emitting diodes (OLED). Consequently,when the transparent display displays the information image layers onthe windshield, the driver can still see the external environmentthrough the windshield. That is, the display module 130 can display theintuitive reality image layer P1 and the intuitive add-on image layer P2in a region along the driver's line of sight when observing externalenvironment through the windshield W so that the driver can see theintuitive reality image layer P1 and the intuitive add-on image layer P2displayed by the display module 130 clearly along his/her line of sight.

In some embodiments, the control module 120 can include a graphicsprocessing unit (GPU), and the control module 120 can generate theintuitive reality image layer P1 by combining, computing, andtransforming the images captured by the information collectors 110A,110B, and 110C according to the distance information derived by theinformation collector 110D, and the images captured by the informationcollectors 110A, 110B, and 110C. However, in addition to the aforesaidmethod for generating the intuitive reality image layer P1, the graphicsprocessing unit of the control module 120 may also use other algorithmsto calculate the depth information from the images captured by theinformation collectors 110A, 110B, and 110C directly if the informationcollectors 110A, 110B, and 110C are able to capture images fromdifferent angles for providing dual vision in some other embodiments.Consequently, the three dimensional images shown in the intuitivereality image layer P1 can present the relation between the vehicle P1and the surrounding environment explicitly and dynamically. In someembodiments, the dynamic information system 100 can include even moreimage capture devices as information collectors for capturing moreimages and deriving the depth information.

Since the environmental characteristics collected by the informationcollectors 110A, 110B, 110C, 110D, 110E, and 110F are different, theymay be used indifferent situations. To avoid showing too muchinformation unnecessarily and distracting driver from directlyperceiving the useful information, the display module 130 may displayintuitive add-on image layers corresponding to a predetermined drivingscenario when the condition of the predetermined driving scenario isencountered by the driver during his/her driving for the assisting thedriver cope with the encountered situations. The predetermined drivingscenario can be driving situations intended by the driver, such asapplying the brakes, making a turn, and pulling over, or drivingsituations imposed by external environment, such as traffic jam, facingmerging vehicles or chasing vehicles, etc.

For example, when the condition of a specific predetermined drivingscenario is met, the display module 130 can display the intuitivereality image layer P1 and the intuitive add-on image layercorresponding to the predetermined driving scenarios on the windshield Wof the vehicle V1 accordingly. FIG. 5 shows the intuitive reality imagelayer P1 and the corresponding intuitive add-on image layer P2 displayedby the display module 130 when the condition of the predetermineddriving scenario is met. In FIG. 5, the intuitive add-on image layer P2can present the traffic conditions of the neighboring vehicle lanes L2and L3, the marking lines of the neighboring vehicle lanes L2 and L3,the positions of the neighboring vehicles V2 and V3, the sizes of theneighboring vehicles V2 and V3, and/or the types of the neighboringvehicles V2 and V3. That is, the intuitive reality image layer P1 andthe corresponding intuitive add-on image layer P2 presented by thedisplay module 130 can replace the left side view mirror, the right sideview mirror, and the rear view mirror, and can present the trafficconditions on two sides of the vehicle V1 and the traffic conditionbehind the vehicle V1. However, the traffic conditions that can beobserved through the windshield W may not be shown, avoiding distractingthe driver by providing useless information. Also, according to thepredetermined driving scenario, the dynamic information system 100 canfurther provide more information, allowing the driver to be aware of thetraffic conditions without blind spots and to learn the informationprovided by the intuitive reality image layer P1 and the correspondingintuitive add-on image layer P2 when watching the windshield W withoutbeing distracted by looking at the mirrors, the instrument panels, orother control panels for information. Therefore, the driving operationcan be simplified, and the driving safety can be improved.

In prior art, some of the vehicles maybe equipped with cameras facingbehind and to the sides of the vehicle have been introduced. Suchvehicles typically present the captured images using a console, on thedashboard, or on the rear view mirror(replaced by a LCD display), whichreduces the need to look in more than one direction at once, as well asremoving blind spots. However, the images displayed to the driver bysuch vehicles, just as the mirror's reflections, are in the oppositeorientation to the driver's (the driver is facing the front, yet theimage displayed is as if the driver is looking backward), therefore theobjects in the image cannot be intuitively perceived by the driver.Contrarily, the intuitive reality image layer P1 and the correspondingintuitive add-on image layer P2 are displayed with the same orientationto the driver's. Therefore, the information provided by the intuitivereality image layer P1 and the corresponding intuitive add-on imagelayer P2 can be received by the driver intuitively.

In FIG. 5, the intuitive add-on image layer P2 can also be a threedimensional image depicting the reality, and the intuitive add-on imagelayer P2 can be presented together with the intuitive reality imagelayer P1 according to the three dimensional coordination system C1 ofthe intuitive reality image layer P1 with the same observation point.For example, the three dimensional coordination system C1 used by theintuitive add-on image layer P2 can be compatible with the threedimensional coordination system C1 used by the intuitive reality imagelayer P1, and the two three dimensional coordination systems can havethe same origin as shown in FIG. 5. Therefore, the intuitive add-onimage layer P2 can be added onto the intuitive reality image layer P1 topresent together with the intuitive reality image layer P1.

In some embodiments, the vehicle V1 in the intuitive reality image layerP1 shown in FIG. 2 is also depicted with the same three dimensionalcoordination system C1. When the display module 130 changes fromdisplaying the image shown in FIG. 2 to displaying the image shown inFIG. 5, the position of the graphic indicator of the vehicle V1 in theintuitive reality image layer P1 will not be changed, so the driver canlocate the vehicle V1 directly without spending time looking for thefigure of vehicle V1 (or the graphic indicator of vehicle V1) even whenthe intuitive add-on image layer P2 shows up, reducing the driver'sburden.

Since the intuitive reality image layer P1 and the intuitive add-onimage layer P2 are of the same orientation with respect to the commonthree dimensional coordinate system, the driver can perceive theinformation instantly without reconfiguring the relation between theobjects displayed by the newly appeared image layer (P2) and the objectsdisplayed by the previously presented image layer (P1).

That is, when the display module 130 displays the intuitive realityimage layer P1 and the intuitive add-on image layer P2, the position ofthe neighboring vehicle lanes L2 and L3, and the positions of theneighboring vehicles V2 and V3 presented by the intuitive add-on imagelayer P2 and the position of the vehicle V1 presented by the intuitivereality image layer 1 are presented according to the relative positionsof the vehicle V1, the neighboring vehicle lanes L2 and L3, and theneighboring vehicles V2 and V3 sensed by the plurality of informationcollectors 110A, 110B, and 110C. Therefore, the driver can identify thetraffic conditions according to the intuitive reality image layer P1 andthe intuitive add-on image layer P2 instinctively, and take thecorresponding actions.

FIG. 6 shows the intuitive reality image layer P1′ and the correspondingintuitive add-on image layer P2′ displayed by the display module 130according to one embodiment of the present invention when the directionindicator of the vehicle V1 is triggered. In FIG. 6, the intuitiveadd-on image layer P2′ can present the traffic condition of the vehiclelanes L2 and L3 adjacent to the vehicle lane L1 on which the vehicle V1is traveling, the marking lines of the vehicle lanes L2 and L3, thespeed of the neighboring vehicles V2 and V3, the positions of theneighboring vehicles V2 and V3, the sizes of the neighboring vehicles V2and V3, and/or the types of the neighboring vehicles V2 and V3.Therefore, the driver can be aware of the traffic conditions on twosides of the vehicle V1 and the traffic condition behind the vehicle V1according to the content presented by the intuitive reality image layerP1′ and the corresponding intuitive add-on image layer P2′ withoutmoving his/her line of sight. Also, since the intuitive add-on imagelayer P2′ can present the speeds of the neighboring vehicles V2 and V3,the driver can take actions even more accurately according to theinformation provided by the intuitive reality image layer P1′ and thecorresponding intuitive add-on image layer P2′ when making a turn,preventing the driver from misjudging the speed of the neighboringvehicle and causing accidents.

In addition, the intuitive reality image layer P1′ and the correspondingintuitive add-on image layer P2′ shown in FIG. 6 are examples forpurpose of explanation. In some embodiments, the information presentedby the intuitive reality image layer P1′ may also include parts of theinformation shown in the corresponding intuitive add-on image layer P2′.For example, in some embodiments, to allow the driver to be aware of thetraffic conditions on two sides of the vehicle V1 and the rear side ofthe vehicle V1, the control module 120 can also include the trafficconditions on two sides of the vehicle V1 and the rear side of thevehicle V1 when generating the intuitive reality image layer P1′ for thedisplay module 130. And the information of the speeds of the neighboringvehicles will be provided only when the condition of the correspondingpredetermined driving scenario is met. That is, the designer can designthe initial intuitive reality image layer P1′ according to therequirement, and present the corresponding intuitive add-on image layersfor providing the information required by different situationsaccordingly.

Furthermore, since the display module 130 can automatically present theintuitive reality image layer P1′ and the corresponding intuitive add-onimage layer P2′ when the direction indicator of the vehicle V1 istriggered, the manual operations can be skipped, allowing the driver tokeep concentration on his/her driving and assisting the drivereffectively.

In some embodiments, in addition to determining whether to display theintuitive add-on image layer P2′ according to the triggering of thedirection indicator, the display module 130 can also determine todisplay the intuitive reality image layer P1′ and the correspondingintuitive add-on image layer P2′ when the navigation device of thevehicle V1 indicates the vehicle V1 is about to make a turn within apredetermined distance, for example, to make a turn in 200 meters. Also,in some embodiments, the display module 130 may identify thepredetermined driving scenario by other means, for example, the displaymodule 130 may identify whether the viewing angles have been changedand/or whether the vehicle V1 is touching the marking line of thevehicle lane according to the images captured by the informationcollectors 110A, 110B, and 110C. By identifying these situations, thedisplay module 130 can further identify whether the vehicle V1 is makinga turn or about to make a turn, and display the intuitive reality imagelayer P1′and the corresponding intuitive add-on image layer P2′ forassisting the driver accordingly. Consequently, the dynamic informationsystem 100 can assist the driver to cope with all kinds of drivingsituations automatically.

That is, the display module 130 can not only show the correspondingimage layers to assist the driver when the vehicle is making a turn, butalso show other corresponding images layers to assist the driver inother different situations. Especially in some situations, since thedriver may not be able to learn the required information by observingthrough the windshield W directly, the display module 130 can be used toprovide additional environmental information to help the driver to dealwith the situations.

In addition to the predetermined driving scenarios mentioned above, thecontrol module 120 may also generated other different intuitive add-onimage layers corresponding to other kinds of predetermined drivingscenarios in some embodiments. For example, when the vehicle V1decelerates over a predetermined threshold, a traffic light ahead of thevehicle V1 within a predetermined distance turns red, or a traffic jamoccurs ahead of the vehicle V1 within a predetermined distance, thecontrol module 120 can generate the corresponding intuitive add-on imagelayers to present the rear vehicle behind the vehicle V1, the speed ofthe rear vehicle, and the type of the rear vehicle. Or, when a rearvehicle is tailgating the vehicle V1, an adjacent vehicle moves towardsthe vehicle V1, or the adjacent vehicle triggers a direction indicatorindicating the adjacent vehicle is to move closer to the vehicle V1, thecontrol module 120 can generate the intuitive add-on image layercorresponding to these predetermined driving scenarios to present therear vehicle behind the vehicle V1, the speed of the rear vehicle, thetype of the rear vehicle, the adjacent vehicle beside the vehicle V1,the speed of the adjacent vehicle, and/or the type of the adjacentvehicle. Or, when the rear vehicle behind the vehicle V1 is identifiedto be an emergency vehicle, such as an ambulance, a police car or a fireengine, the control module 120 can generate the intuitive add-on imagelayer corresponding to the predetermined driving scenario to presentinformation alerting the vehicle V1 to yield its vehicle lane.

That is, the display module 130 can not only display the intuitivereality image layer of the vehicle V1, but also display thecorresponding intuitive add-on image layers for providing the requiredinformation to the driver instantly when the condition of thepredetermined driving scenario is met. Also, the viewing angle of theintuitive reality image layer may also be adjusted according to the needof different driving scenarios.

In summary, when the condition of the predetermined driving scenario ismet, for example, but not limited to, the direction indicator beingtriggered, the navigation device indicating to make a turn, reversinginto a garage, traffic light turning red, etc., the dynamic informationsystem 100 can have the display module 130 display the intuitive realityimage layer and at least one intuitive add-on image layer correspondingto the predetermined driving scenario on the windshield W of the vehicleV1 for assisting the driver to deal with all kinds of drivingsituations.

Furthermore, the control module 120 can generate all intuitive add-onimage layers, such as the intuitive add-on image layers respectivelypresenting the types and speed of the rear vehicles, the types andspeeds of the neighboring vehicles, the marking lines of the vehiclelane on which the vehicle V1 is traveling on, and the marking lines ofthe neighboring vehicle lanes, at all times according to theenvironmental characteristics collected by the information collectors110A, 110B, 110C, 110D, 110E, and 110F. Therefore, once thepredetermined driving scenario is met, the display module 130 candisplay the intuitive add-on image layers corresponding to thepredetermined driving scenario instantly. However, in some embodiments,the control module 120 can also generate the corresponding intuitiveadd-on image layers for the display module 130 to display after thecondition of the predetermined driving scenario is met. Consequently,the computation resource and the power consumption can be saved.

FIG. 7 shows a method 200 for operating the dynamic information system100 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The method 200includes steps S210 to S240, but not limited to the sequence below.

S210: the plurality of information collectors 110A, 110B, 110C, 110D,110E, and 110F collect a plurality of environmental characteristics;

S220: the control module 120 generates the intuitive reality image layerof the vehicle V1 and a plurality of intuitive add-on image layers;

S230: the display module 130 displays the intuitive reality image layerP1 on the windshield W of the vehicle V1 when the vehicle V1 isactivated;

S240: when a condition of a predetermined driving scenario is met, thedisplay module 130 displays the intuitive reality image layer and atleast one intuitive add-on image layer corresponding to thepredetermined driving scenario on the windshield of the vehicle V1.

In FIG. 7, the control module 120 can generate all intuitive add-onimage layers in step S220; however, in some embodiments, the controlmodule 120 can also generate the intuitive add-on image layerscorresponding to the predetermined driving scenario for the displaymodule 130 to display after the condition of the predetermined drivingscenario is met. For example, the control module 120 may generate theintuitive add-on image layer presenting the speed of the rear vehiclewhen the speed of the rear vehicle is required, and generate theintuitive add-on image layer presenting the type of the rear vehiclewhen the type of the rear vehicle is required.

In step S220, the graphics processing unit (GPU) of the control module120 can generate the intuitive reality image layers P1 and P3 and theintuitive add-on image layers P2 and P4 by combining, computing, andtransforming the images captured by the information collectors 110A,110B, and 110C according to the information collected by some of theinformation collectors, such as the images captured by the informationcollectors 110A, 110B, and 110C, the information collected by the remoteinformation collectors 110G and 110H and/or the distance informationderived by the information collector 110D.

However, the present invention is not limited to using the aforesaidprocess for generating the intuitive reality image layers P1 and P3 andthe intuitive add-on image layers P2 and P4. In some embodiments, thecontrol module 120 may use other algorithms to calculate the depthinformation from the images captured by the information collectors 110A,110B, and 110C directly and generate the intuitive reality image layersP1 and P3 and the intuitive add-on image layers P2 and P4 if theinformation collectors 110A, 110B, and 110C are able to capture imagesfrom different angles for providing dual vision in some otherembodiments.

In summary, the dynamic information system and the method for operatingthe dynamic information system provided by the embodiments of thepresent invention can generate and display the corresponding intuitiveadd-on image layers according to the situations encountered by thedriver when driving the vehicle for providing the required information.Furthermore, since the display module can display the intuitive realityimage layer and the intuitive add-on image layers in a region along thedriver's region of sight when observing external environments through awindshield so that the driver is able to see the intuitive reality imagelayer and the intuitive add-on image layers clearly along his line ofsight. Different from the prior art that the driver still needs to takea look at the side view mirrors and the rear view mirror when usinghead-up display, the dynamic information system of the present inventionallows the drivers to focus their line of sight to the front, improvingthe driving safety and simplifying the driving operations.

Those skilled in the art will readily observe that numerousmodifications and alterations of the device and method may be made whileretaining the teachings of the invention. Accordingly, the abovedisclosure should be construed as limited only by the metes and boundsof the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A dynamic information system of a vehiclecomprising: a plurality of information collectors; a control modulecoupled to the plurality of information collectors, and configured togenerate an intuitive reality image layer of the vehicle and a pluralityof intuitive add-on image layers corresponding to a plurality ofpredetermined driving scenarios; and a display module coupled to thecontrol module, and configured to display the intuitive reality imagelayer or in addition with at least one intuitive add-on image layercorresponding to a predetermined driving scenario when a condition ofthe predetermined driving scenario is met; wherein: the intuitivereality image layer and the plurality of intuitive add-on image layersare constructed to represent a reality view from a common observationpoint at a first distance behind the vehicle plus a second distanceabove the vehicle; the intuitive reality image layer and the pluralityof intuitive add-on image layers comprise lanes and traffic informationto sides and rear of the vehicle that are within regions unobservabledirectly through a windshield by a driver of the vehicle; and theintuitive reality image layer and the plurality of intuitive add-onimage layers are of a same orientation in a common three dimensionalcoordinate system.
 2. The dynamic information system of claim 1, whereinthe display module is further configured to display the intuitivereality image layer when the vehicle is activated, and the intuitivereality image comprises a graphic indicator of the vehicle, speed of thevehicle, and navigation information.
 3. The dynamic information systemof claim 1, wherein: the predetermined driving scenario is a directionindicator of the vehicle being triggered; and the at least one intuitiveadd-on image layer corresponding to the predetermined driving scenariopresents a rear vehicle behind the vehicle, a speed of the rear vehicle,a type of the rear vehicle, a traffic condition of at least oneneighboring vehicle lane, marking lines of the at least one neighboringvehicle lane, a speed of at least one neighboring vehicle traveling onthe at least one neighboring vehicle lane, a position of the rearvehicle, a position of the at least one neighboring vehicle, and/or atype of the at least one neighboring vehicle.
 4. The dynamic informationsystem of claim 3, wherein: when the display module displays the atleast one intuitive add-on image layer and the intuitive reality imagelayer, the position of the rear vehicle, a position of the at least oneneighboring vehicle lane, and the position of the at least oneneighboring vehicle presented by the at least one intuitive add-on imagelayer and a position of the vehicle presented by the intuitive realityimage layer are presented according to relative positions of thevehicle, the rear vehicle, the at least one neighboring vehicle lane,and the at least one neighboring vehicle sensed by the plurality ofinformation collectors.
 5. The dynamic information system of claim 1,wherein: the predetermined driving scenario is a navigation device ofthe vehicle indicating the vehicle is about to make a turn within apredetermined distance; and the at least one intuitive add-on imagelayer corresponding to the predetermined driving scenario presents arear vehicle behind the vehicle, a speed of the rear vehicle, a type ofthe rear vehicle, a traffic condition of at least one neighboringvehicle lane, marking lines of the at least one neighboring vehiclelane, a speed of at least one neighboring vehicle traveling on the atleast one neighboring vehicle lane, a position of the rear vehicle, aposition of the at least one neighboring vehicle, and/or a type of theat least one neighboring vehicle.
 6. The dynamic information system ofclaim 5, wherein: when the display module displays the at least oneintuitive add-on image layer and the intuitive reality image layer, theposition of the rear vehicle, a position of the at least one neighboringvehicle lane, and the position of the at least one neighboring vehiclepresented by the at least one intuitive add-on image layer and aposition of the vehicle presented by the intuitive reality image layerare presented according to relative positions of the vehicle, the rearvehicle, the at least one neighboring vehicle lane, and the at least oneneighboring vehicle sensed by the plurality of information collectors.7. The dynamic information system of claim 1, wherein: the predetermineddriving scenario is the vehicle decelerating over a predeterminedthreshold, a traffic light ahead of the vehicle within a predetermineddistance turning red, or a traffic jam occurring ahead within apredetermined distance of the vehicle; and the at least one intuitiveadd-on image layer corresponding to the predetermined driving scenariopresents a rear vehicle behind the vehicle, a speed of the rear vehicle,and a type of the rear vehicle.
 8. The dynamic information system ofclaim 1, wherein: the predetermined driving scenario is a rear vehicletailgating the vehicle, an adjacent vehicle moving towards the vehicle,or the adjacent vehicle triggering a direction indicator indicating theadjacent vehicle is to move closer the vehicle; and the at least oneintuitive add-on image layer corresponding to the predetermined drivingscenario presents the rear vehicle behind the vehicle, a speed of therear vehicle, a type of the rear vehicle, the adjacent vehicle besidethe vehicle, a speed of the adjacent vehicle, and/or a type of theadjacent vehicle.
 9. The dynamic information system of claim 1, wherein:the predetermined driving scenario is a rear vehicle behind the vehiclebeing an emergency vehicle; and the at least one intuitive add-on imagelayer corresponding to the predetermined driving scenario presentsinformation alerting the vehicle to yield its vehicle lane.
 10. Thedynamic information system of claim 1, wherein: the display module is ahead-up display (HUD).
 11. The dynamic information system of claim 1,wherein the information collectors collects traffic condition imagesnear the vehicle, weather information, and traffic conditions alongroutes indicated by a navigation device.
 12. The dynamic informationsystem of claim 1, wherein the control module generates the plurality ofintuitive add-on image layers corresponding to a predetermined drivingscenario when the condition of the predetermined driving scenario ismet.
 13. A method for operating a dynamic information system, thedynamic information system comprising a plurality of informationcollectors, a control module, and a display module, and the methodcomprising: collecting, by the plurality of information collectors, aplurality of environmental characteristics; generating, by the controlmodule, an intuitive reality image layer of a vehicle and a plurality ofintuitive add-on image layers corresponding to a plurality ofpredetermined driving scenarios; and displaying, by the display module,the intuitive reality image layer or in addition with at least oneintuitive add-on image layer corresponding to a predetermined drivingscenario when a condition of the predetermined driving scenario is met;wherein: the intuitive reality image layer and the plurality ofintuitive add-on image layers are constructed to represent a realityview from a common observation point at a first distance behind thevehicle plus a second distance above the vehicle; the intuitive realityimage layer and the plurality of intuitive add-on image layers compriselanes and traffic information to sides and rear of the vehicle that arewithin regions unobservable directly through a windshield by a driver ofthe vehicle; and the intuitive reality image layer and the plurality ofintuitive add-on image layers are of a same orientation in a commonthree dimensional coordinate system.
 14. The method of claim 13, furthercomprising the display module displaying the intuitive reality imagelayer when the vehicle is activated.
 15. The method of claim 13,wherein: the predetermined driving scenario is a direction indicator ofthe vehicle being triggered; and the at least one intuitive add-on imagelayer corresponding to the predetermined driving scenario presents arear vehicle behind the vehicle, a speed of the rear vehicle, a type ofthe rear vehicle, a traffic condition of at least one neighboringvehicle lane, marking lines of the at least one neighboring vehiclelane, a speed of at least one neighboring vehicle traveling on the atleast one neighboring vehicle lane, a position of the rear vehicle, aposition of the at least one neighboring vehicle, and/or a type of theat least one neighboring vehicle.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein:when the display module displays the at least one intuitive add-on imagelayer and the intuitive reality image layer, the position of the rearvehicle, a position of the at least one neighboring vehicle lane, andthe position of the at least one neighboring vehicle presented by the atleast one intuitive add-on image layer and a position of the vehiclepresented by the intuitive reality image layer are presented accordingto relative positions of the vehicle, the rear vehicle, the at least oneneighboring vehicle lane, and the at least one neighboring vehiclesensed by the plurality of information collectors.
 17. The method ofclaim 13, wherein: the predetermined driving scenario is a navigationdevice of the vehicle indicating the vehicle is about to make a turnwithin a predetermined distance; and the at least one intuitive add-onimage layer corresponding to the predetermined driving scenario presentsa rear vehicle behind the vehicle, a speed of the rear vehicle, a typeof the rear vehicle, a traffic condition of at least one neighboringvehicle lane, marking lines of the at least one neighboring vehiclelane, a speed of at least one neighboring vehicle traveling on the atleast one neighboring vehicle lane, a position of the rear vehicle, aposition of the at least one neighboring vehicle, and/or a type of theat least one neighboring vehicle.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein:when the display module displays the at least one intuitive add-on imagelayer and the intuitive reality image layer, the position of the rearvehicle, a position of the at least one neighboring vehicle lane, andthe position of the at least one neighboring vehicle presented by the atleast one intuitive add-on image layer and a position of the vehiclepresented by the intuitive reality image layer are presented accordingto relative positions of the vehicle, the rear vehicle, the at least oneneighboring vehicle lane, and the at least one neighboring vehiclesensed by the plurality of information collectors.
 19. The method ofclaim 13, wherein: the predetermined driving scenario is the vehicledecelerating over a predetermined threshold, a traffic light ahead ofthe vehicle within a predetermined distance turning red, or a trafficjam occurring ahead within a predetermined distance of the vehicle; andthe at least one intuitive add-on image layer corresponding to thepredetermined driving scenario represents a rear vehicle behind thevehicle, a speed of the rear vehicle, and a type of the rear vehicle.20. The method of claim 13, wherein: the predetermined driving scenariois a rear vehicle tailgating the vehicle, an adjacent vehicle movingtowards the vehicle, or the adjacent vehicle triggering a directionindicator indicating the adjacent vehicle is to move closer the vehicle;and the at least one intuitive add-on image layer corresponding to thepredetermined driving scenario represents the rear vehicle behind thevehicle, a speed of the rear vehicle, a type of the rear vehicle, theside vehicle beside of the vehicle, a speed of the side vehicle, and/ora type of the side vehicle.